Dear Bruce:

Thank you for your recent support of the first Canadian NGO–United Nations Informal Regional Network Forum. The Forum, held in Kelowna February 18-20, 2004, was jointly hosted by the United Nations and Hope for the Nations (a ‘not-for-profit’ organization founded and based in Kelowna).

The primary aim of the forum was to strengthen coordination, collaboration and partnerships between the NGO (Non Governmental Organization) sector in Canada and the United Nations. It was also intended to build and reinforce the capacities of participating organizations so they could contribute effectively to regional, national and international development efforts. Further, it promoted partnership initiatives, particularly within the framework of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and the overall objectives of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).

Over the course of the three days we had over 230 participants attend representing over 100 different organizations from all over Canada! The Youth Forum, which ran concurrently with the main session, had 100 students from the local area in attendance.

The UN-NGO Informal Regional Network has been designed at the highest levels of the UN. The Secretary General, Kofi Annan, pointed out that the UN could not meet its humanitarian goals on its own and would need a close relationship with governments, the business sector and civil society. This network was created to bring efficiencies to the global efforts of meeting internationally accepted humanitarian goals.

This inaugural Canadian Forum was an outstanding success. Various UN sources have commented that we are being shown as the example of how these international networks should be developed. This was the first time the UN representatives had been to a smaller community, such as Kelowna, and they were very impressed by the warmth and community spirit they felt as well as our collective ability to organize and manage the event. We are hoping they will trust us with more in the future.

The recommendations reached at both the main Forum and the Youth Forum will be presented to the UN in New York this June. We will keep you informed as to how events develop in the future.

The primary purpose of this letter was to keep you informed of how the Forum went and what we were trying to achieve. However, the event and this new relationship (between our organization, the Canadian Informal Regional Network, and the UN) would not have been possible without your support. We appreciate the help you gave us and hope that you enjoyed any of the Forum that you may have been able to visit and participate in.

The old adage that ‘Together we can make a difference’ really applies in this situation. Once again, a sincere thank you.

Yours truly,

Nick Arkle
Hope For The Nations, Director
UN Liaison

Hope For The Nations
2041 Harvey Avenue,
Kelowna, BC
V1Y 6G7

(250) 712-2007